Chapter 1- Sunshine
The late August sun suspended high in the sky and flooded my dim room with its brilliant light, streaming through the window and pushing back the darkness that lingered in every corner. My door cracked open only slightly as my room is flooded with the sounds of heavy metal and demons being ripped apart. Doom 2016 flickered on the screen, my hands gripped my controller with intensity, the violence on screen almost a dance between Doom Slayer and the demons being slaughtered. I'm so engrossed in my game that I didn't hear the door creak open.
"Honey, do you have to play such violent games?" My mother sighed.
"Mom, I'm killing demons, how much more Christian can you get?" I asked, pausing the game to better listen.
"Sweetheart, it's still so violent, I wish you'd play something else." She shook her head, setting my laundry on my bed. "Honey, I was talking to Mrs. Thompson, her daughter Olivia and you have a lot in common. I talked with her and we're setting you two up on a date this evening at 4:30."
"Tonight? Like tonight tonight? Mom, no, there's no way." I stammered.
"She's a good Christian girl," Mom added, as if that would seal the deal for me "You've probably seen her at church."
I hadn't and it didn't, but that didn't seem to matter. The decision was made, and I was expected to follow through. It was 4:30, early enough to be considered a late lunch, and Mom's insistence made it feel like an obligation.
"Be ready sweetie, she's a wonderful girl. You two should get along well! Oh I almost forgot, it's at Greens Diner down the road. Dont be late." With that my mother left the room, the door closing behind her.
The next half hour was spent digging through my closet, looking for anything that resembled date clothes, but not church clothes. The dread slowly but surely knotting my stomach, as I began to feel worse and worse about being given away like this was some sort of pre-arranged marriage. Eventually I settled on a pair of khaki pants, my high top converse, and a blue polo to complete the outfit. At least that's what I wanted to wear. Mom decided that a red button up and a pair of my dad's old loafers would make a better impression.
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my shirt collar. I tried pushing down the anxiety gnawing at me. I wasnt good at this sort of thing, socializing, dating, pretending to be someone I'm not. I couldn't just back out at this point though. I let out an exasperated sigh, and walked downstairs.
"How's this?" My voice just above a whisper.
"Oh honey you look lovely! I'm glad you took the advice on the shirt, and those shoes match up wonderfully!" It was more of a direction than advice, but I'd never say that. I decided to leave early to let the nerves settle on the walk there. It didn't work. The whole way there was filled with nervous sweating and deep breaths trying to calm myself.
I arrived at Green's, a classic 1950's style diner. The exteriors shiny chrome facade with large windows, neon signs, and a bold, illuminated sign bearing the diner's name in vintage script, it screamed old school. I walked into the building. The place was quiet, it was the kind of diner where you could hear the clatter of dishes in the back and the soft murmur of conversation from the other patrons. I chose a booth by the window, hoping to distract myself by watching the world outside.
As the minutes ticked by, being early didn't seem to matter. Being on time would have felt like being early. Olivia still hadn't shown by the time a waitress had sauntered up to me.
"Are ya ready to order or are we waiting for someone special hun?" The waitress looked down to me with a smile as she pulled out her pen and paper.
"I'm waiting a little longer, a water would be fine though. Thank you." The waitress nodded her head and headed back to the counter. I was given my water and continued to wait. Five minutes late, then ten, fifteen. I checked my phone but I didn't have her number, and I doubted mom gave her mine.
As I stared out of the window watching the passing cars, trying to numb the feeling of regret I already had for this whole situation. Then I heard it—the groan of the seat across from me as someone sat down. I turned, expecting to see Olivia, I blinked, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. He was like a black hole come to life, drawing all the light and attention in the room toward him. He was skinny, with a pale face framed by messy, dyed black hair that hung down almost into his eyes. He wore all black—ripped jeans, a worn leather jacket, scuffed boots—and everything about him seemed designed to repel the world around him.
But it was his eyes that struck me the most—vivid green, almost unnaturally so, and they were locked onto me with an intensity that made my stomach flip.
"I'm Mind if I join you?" He asked, a small lopsided smile playing across his lips.
I froze, my mind scrambling to process what was happening. "Uh Sure, I guess so" He leaned back in his seat, completely at ease. He sort of looked like he belonged there.
"So what's a guy like you doing sitting here all alone" he asked, placing his hands covered in rings and black nail polish on the table, leaning forward slightly.
I opened my mouth to answer, but the words got stuck. I wasn't sure what to make of him, of the way he seemed so comfortable, so confident. I could feel the tension easing out of me, though, just from the way he smiled.
"My date is late," I finally said, trying to sound casual.
"Lucky me, then," he replied, his smile widening. "I get to keep you company."
I shifted in my seat, still trying to process this boys sudden appearance. The initial shock had worn off but I felt like I was in some sort of strange dream. Looking over to the boy, I could tell he was more at ease than ever.
"So what's up with the shirt?" He asked, nodding at my bright red button up with a slight grin. "It's screaming angry republican dad, or like, help me I don't want to be here."
"Oh uh, I'm on a blind date I guess. My mom set me up." I glanced down to my shirt and sighed. "And uh, my mom picked it out. I didn't want to wear this."
"Oh I should have known mom picked it out. It's working for you though. Definitely a stand out pick." The boys smile widened. "Couldn't miss you if I tried"
I let out a nervous laugh trying to keep my composure, even with my stomach doing flips inside my abdomen.
"Thanks I think. I don't know if that's a compliment or not."
"Oh it is, trust me." He rested his chin on his hands as he leaned forward, his green eyes meet my blue.
"So.. what's your deal then? Are you always so forward with strangers?" The boy chuckled, a low, warm sound that made me feel oddly comfortable.
"Only when they look like they could use some company," he replied, his gaze never wavering. "You looked like you were about to bolt out of here any second."
"Yeah, I wasn't really expecting anyone to join me. You just kind of appeared there."
"Oh yeah. I'm pretty good at that." The boy shrugged playfully. "But seriously, what's got you so tense?"
"It's just... it's this date I guess. I'm not used to this kind of stuff."
"First date jitters huh? I get it. I think they'll like you though. That smiles infectious."
I could feel the blood rushing to my face, beginning to blush. "Oh uh, thank you. I needed that." I tried to ignore how quickly my heart began to beat after that compliment. Maybe he was just being nice, but there was something I couldn't shake.
"I'm Eli by the way, and you're.."
"Flynn." I muttered. "But people call me -" He cut me off.
"Flynn." He repeated, almost digesting my name. "Flynn. I like it."
I just don't know how this guy, Eli, wasn't on my radar before now. We must've just never ran in the same circles or something. We talked back and forth for what felt like forever, Eli guided the conversation effortlessly, moving from hobbies to home life.
"You know, your date is going to love you dude, I think they'll be lucky to have you." Eli said, pointing at me before once again leaning back in his seat.
I didn't realize how my nerves calmed down around Eli until he said that. I almost forgot that I was supposed to be here with someone else entirely.
